Umbrella



y 29, 1952 c. A. SUEL ET AL 2,604,898

UMBRELLA Filed Sept. 8. 1947 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 IN V EN TOR.

Patented July 29, 1952 morass UMBRELLa Charles A. SueLNeW York and yictorAxelrad; ED136517 Hills; NJ

Applicationfiept'ember 8, 1.947,- SerialNo; 772,-840- V (or res-s) LCIaim. 1.

This invention relates to umbrellas, and in particularis directed to improvementsin the eonstruction of the notch and runner of an umbrella frameincluding the pivoted ends of the extensible members (ribs and stretchers) secured-therein.

Accordingly, it is oneof the objects of thisihventionto provide an-umbrella'frame of such construction that the notches and-runners present asturdy arrangement of bearing members to receive-the-asseciated members'of the ribs and stretchers.

Another object of this invention-is-to provide anumbrella frame of markedly increased sturdiness of construction, with consequent enhancement-in the protection of the fabric against destruction or spoilage.

A further object of thisinvention is to provide an umbrella frame of markedly enhanced sturdinessby using notches and runners and associated elements that are readily assembled and which may be readily disassembled for repair.

The foregoing and other objects of theinvention are achieved by a structure embodying our concepts as shown in the forms thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a diagrammaticrepresentation, insectional view and partially broken, showing; an umbrella frame in erected position.

Fig. .2 is an enlarged view, in vertical section, of the form of notch illustrated in Fig. 1, showingfragmentary portions. of the. ribs adjacent the notch, in'collapsed position.

Fig, 3 is a plan view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view, in vertical. position, of the form of runner illustrated in Fig. 1, and fragmentary portions of thestretchers adjacent the runner; in collapsed position.

Fig. 5 is a plan View of the runner'illustrated in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan viewof a modified form of notch or runner in which the ribs or stretchers, shown in fragmentary portions adjacent thereto, are secured by means of roller bearings set Within the notch or runner;

Fig. '7 is a View taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a roller forming the bearing used in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.

Fig. 9 isa perspective view of a fragmentary portion of a rib or stretcher showing-the manner of mounting the same on the roller illustrated in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross sectionalview ofanother modified form of a notch or runner em- .2, bodyi'ngEthe concepts of thisdnvention'intherform ofcuspsz' Fig; #11 is a perspective view of a-spherical member provided with azstem forming the-means for securing a rib or stretcher thereto formounting within the notch illustrated? in Fig. 2 or 3, orth'e runner illustrated in.Fig.f4;or.5.

' Fig; 12-is' a perspectiveview'showingthe assemblage of the spherical member; illustrated in s Fig; 11 with-a ribor stretcher.

Fig; 1-3 is avertical cross-sectional view: of a notch embodying the concept: off this invention as adapted for the constructionlofa folding umbrella. I

Fig. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional. view of: a further modified-form of a notch 01?:"111111181'; in which the annular members haveman annular semi circular' groove. 7

Referring now in greater detailtuthedrawings; the numeral 20 indicates "the-rod or stick of an umbrella-frame represented in this instanceby a'tubular-member of conventional construction, The'notch is indicated-bythe numeral 22; and the runner orsleeve' by thenumeral 24.

' The ribs '26and the struts or stretchers 28- are connected to each other asat 30in conventional fashion."

. R'eferringnow to Figs. 2 and 3'; the n0tch'22 comprises a pair of. symmetrically, disposed" annular-.membersfiz having an inner flange '34, a flatlmidr secti'on,36,.,and' an outer concave or semi-:circular.v section..38'. The flange 34 sheathes therod 21!. Theconcave. section 38- is-pr0vided witha plurality of-v radially disposed. slots 40. These-two annular members form .the. two halves of the notch'and they areheld in cooperating position by anupper retaining member .42. and a lower retaining member 44-. Theretaining members comprise a tubular section 46 which sheathes the "rod"2il and afflange 48. The flange 48 is shouldered" as at 50; this shoulder being adapted to receive; the flange- 34,1while-the=-flange-48.-bears against the. flat mid section "36; of the-annular members: The tubular section46-of'members 42 and 44 are. securely connectedtto -the-rod 20 by :means :ofithecrosspins:52; The rigidity of the assemblage is further insured by; means of the vertical pin 54 which passes through the flanges 48Jofthe retainin members and the'mid-sections 361fof the; twdh'alvesgof the notch.) The rib' 26 isprovidedatsitsrlower extremitywitha ball or spherical memberitll .which'is' pivotally positioned within: a radial. slot and seated: securely within the symmetrically disposed. and: locked: semicircular sections 38 of the two annular members forming the notch.

In the form of sleeve or runner illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, there is shown, mounted on the rod 20, a slideable sleeve flanged as at 12. A pair of symmetrically disposed annular members M are secured to the sleeve. The annular members comprise an inner flange 16, a relatively fiat mid-section 18, and an outer concave or semicircular section 88. provided with a plurality of radially disposed slots 82 similar to those of the notch illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The upper annular member 14 is seated against the lower face 84 of the flange 12 which is appropriately shaped to accomplish that purpose. The lower annular member 14 is secured in cooperating position with the upper annular member by means of the nut 86 mounted on the threaded portion 88 of the sleeve 10. The rigidity of the assemblage is further insured by means of a vertical pin 81 which passes through the flange 12 of the sleeve 70 and the members 14 and also through the nut 86. The nut 86 is flattened as at 89 so that it may be gripped by a wrench or other appropriate tool. Seated within the radial slots 82 are the lower ends of the stretchers 28, these ends being provided with a ball member 50. The stretchers are mounted pivotally and securely within the cooperating halves of the annular members, and their functioning is similar to that of the ribs described with respect to the notch illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. It will be apparent that in these forms of notches and runners the ribs and stretchers are securely retained and their mechanical operation or function is fundamentally that of a ball bearing mounting.

Referring now to the forms illustrated in Figs. 6 and'l, there is shown a structure comprising a pair of annular members adapted for operation either as a notch or a runner, in which is embodied the roller bearing principle. The symmetrically disposed annular members 90 are similar to those illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. These members have inner flanges 92, mid-sections 94 and outer concave or semi-circular sections 96. When used as a notch they are secured to the rod and held in locked cooperating position by means of upper and lower retaining members of appropriate size and conformation, the retaining membersbeing securely fastened to the rod. When used as part of the runner, the pair of cooperating annular members 90 may be assembled on a slideable collar or sleeve in the manner illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. The semi-circular sections 96 are provided with a plurality of radially disposed slots 93. Positioned within the slotted portions are the extremities of the ribs or stretchers, as the case may be, which are secured to the rollers mu. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the rollers 90 are flanged as at M2. The lower flat end of the rib or stretcher, as the case may be, is wrapped around the stem H34 of the roller I80 andsecurely held in position against lateral movement by the flanges I02. It will be apparent that the rib or stretcher is securely held in position in this embodiment and that the pivotal motion of the rib or stretcher is that of a roller bearing.

In Fig. 10 there is shown another modification of a pair of symmetrically disposed members which form the rib or stretcher holding elements of a notch or runner. These annular members iii! are provided with a plurality of hemispherical cups or cusps H4 which in turn are partially The concave sections are cut away to form a plurality of radially disposed slots H6. The members H0 may be securely connected together and used either in the assemblage of a notch or in the assemblage of a runner by appropriate means. When used as a notch they are secured to the rod of an umbrella by retaining members of appropriate size and conformation as hereinabove described. When used in the assemblage of a runner they are mounted 'ona sleeve or collar of appropriate size and conformation and securely fastened thereto. The ribs or stretchers, as the case may be, are positioned within a pair of symmetrically disposed cusps by providing the ribs or stretchers with a ball or spherical extremity such as, for example, that illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12. The operation .of the assemblage is similar to that of the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 or Figs. 4 and 5.

In Fig. 14 there is shown a modified form of the structure illustrated in Fig. 10. In this instance the annular member III is provided with an annular semi-circular or concave groove or channel H3 and a plurality of radial slots H5. The members Ill may be positioned and locked, either for use in a notch or runner assemblage, in the same manner as the members shown in Fig. 10. The ends of the extensible members, i. e., the ribs or stretchers, are positioned within the slots and held therein either by means of spherical elements as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 or roller members as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 13 shows a form adapted for use as a component member of a folding umbrella. The numeral 126 indicates a tubular member forming part of the rod of an umbrella. Set within the tubular member I20 is a stud 122 provided with a flange [24 and an axially disposed threaded bolt I226. The flange 124 forms the seat against which is positioned the upper of a pair of symmetrically disposed annular members 28 similar to the annular members 32. The lower annular member 28 is held in locked engagement with the upper annular memher by means of retaining member 138 which is similar to the retaining members 42 and 44 illustrated in Fig. 3, the same being secured to the rod (22 by means of the cross pin I32. To achieve additional rigidity of the notch the same may be provided with a pin 53d which passes through the flange 3-6 of the retaining member and the flat mid-sections 38 of the annular members i 28. The concave or semi-circular sections MB of the annular members 23 are provided with a plurality of radially disposed slots M2. The ribs, provided at their ends with appropriate spherical or roller members, are positioned within the slots in the manner similar to that illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, or 6 and 7.

In Figs. 11 and 12 there are shown means for the assemblage of a rib or stretcher provided with a spherical extremity. The assemblage comprises a ball :30 having a short stem I50. The stem 159 may be set within the lower end of a rib or stretcher of conventional channel-like formation. The end may then be crimped over the stem so as securely to fasten these two elements together.

t will be understood that the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings are illustrative of the means for accomplishing the concept of our invention and, therefore, that it is possible to provide various modifications of the invention without departing from the Spirit and scope thereof Accordingly, the appended claim is to be understood as defining our invention within its full meaning and scope.

We claim:

A structure for pivotally positioning an extensible member of an umbrella frame within the 5 notches and runners thereof which comprises:

a roller having end flanges intermediate which flanges there is securely wrapped around the roller 2, flattened portion at the extremity of an extensible member. 10

CHARLES A. SUEL. VICTOR AXELRAD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 15 file 0! this patent:

Number Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Climenson et a1 Oct. 7, 1902 Climenson et a1. Oct. 7, 1902 Curney Jan. 15, 1907 Blake et a1. Feb. 4, 1908 Heisler July 6, 1915 Roy June 2, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Nov. 7, 1876 

